Milwaukee's BEST Extended Stay? Waukesha Suites Surprise!
Milwaukee's BEST Extended Stay? Waukesha Suites Surprise! – A Chaotic Confession
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just survived – and to be honest, kinda enjoyed – a stay at Milwaukee's BEST Extended Stay? Waukesha Suites Surprise! And let me tell you, it was… an experience. Let's get this messy review thing started, yeah?
First Impressions & The Accessibility Angle (Or Lack Thereof, Yikes!):
Okay, so “BEST” might be a stretch. "Adequate," perhaps? The location in Waukesha is… well, it’s there. Not exactly a vibrant heart of activity, but you're close to… things. Accessibility, however, needs a serious overhaul. While they claim to have facilities for disabled guests, I saw zero evidence. The entrance wasn't exactly a breeze for someone with mobility issues, and I'm not even going to think about trying to maneuver a wheelchair through those hallways. This needs serious work, folks. Accessibility: FAIL. Flat out. (I'm gonna be honest, this gives me the angry hiccups. It's 2024, people!)
Room Rundown – My Fortress of Solitude (Mostly):
My room? Okay, it was alright. Seriously, that's the best I can muster. It ticked the boxes. Available in all rooms – yep, air conditioning, alarm clock, mini-bar. Wi-Fi [free] – hallelujah! (More on that later.) Carpeting? Yep. Closet? Sure. The extra-long bed was a godsend, though. I needed that space to spread out and avoid the judgmental stares of my unmade bed. There was a refrigerator, which was crucial for storing my emergency chocolate stash. Seriously, gotta be prepared, right?
The bathroom? Functional. Did the job. Nothing to write home about. Bathrobes, slippers – nice touch! The window that opens was a win. Fresh air is a luxury these days. The soundproof rooms, however, felt a bit… too soundproof. I almost missed the fire alarm test run. (Oops. Don't tell anyone.) Room decorations? Um, let's just say minimalist. I wouldn't call it interior design, but let's just say it fit the overall vibe of "utilitarian, but we kinda tried." It reminded me of my college dorm, but with more dust.
The Internet: A Love-Hate Relationship
Oh, internet. The bane of my millennial existence. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Wonderful! Well, usually. Sometimes. It was… inconsistent. One minute, streaming cat videos with ease. The next, buffering hell. Internet access did exist, but you kind of had to pray to the Wi-Fi gods. And the Internet [LAN]? I think I caught a whiff of it. Seriously, I saw the port, but I couldn’t get it to respond. I'd give it a solid "meh". Internet services were basic, but hey, it was free. You get what you pay for, I guess. Wi-Fi in public areas: Not as reliable as I'd like to admit, but it did the job I guess.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Plea for Pastries!
Let's be frank here, this isn’t exactly a culinary paradise. There’s a coffee shop, which is a necessity for me. Breakfast [Buffet]? Available, but… underwhelming. Think "Continental Plus." Okay, maybe “Continental Minus.” The Asian breakfast option was… interesting. I’m a sucker for a bad attempt at Asian food, but this was… more "attempt" than "success." I mostly stuck to the toast. Restaurants on site? Nope. The only option appears to be the Room service [24-hour] option, which I admittedly never tried. Happy hour and Poolside bar absent. Snack bar? Nope. I was left to survive on what I could find in the surrounding area.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Or Not Really):
Swimming pool [outdoor]? Yes! And it was… fine. Didn’t get a chance to use it. Life gets in the way, right? Fitness center? Yes, it existed. I peeked in and saw… machines. Machines that looked like they’d seen better days. I opted for a walk around the very large parking lot instead. Spa/sauna? Nope. Massage? Wishful thinking. My idea of relaxing was collapsing on that extra-long bed with a bag of chips and a questionable streaming service.
Cleanliness and Safety – The Sanitized Showdown:
Okay, here’s where Waukesha Suites sort of shines. They seem to be taking COVID seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, and Daily disinfection in common areas are great. Staff trained in safety protocol and Rooms sanitized between stays are reassuring. I even saw a sign about Individually-wrapped food options. They also have Hand sanitizer readily available, which is a must. Cashless payment service, check. Safe dining setup when you go to grab your breakfast from the buffet. So, on the health safety front, they tried. I give them an A maybe.
Services and Conveniences – The Extras and the “Eh, Not Really”s:
Some of the services are great. Daily housekeeping – thank goodness! My room was a disaster. Concierge? No. No doorman either. The ever present Front desk [24-hour] – yeah, that's important. Elevator, yes. Laundry service, which I used, which was nice. They also had a convenience store, which was fantastic for stocking up on snacks, drinks, and anything else I might need. Currency exchange? Nope. Business facilities? Somewhat. They have Meeting/banquet facilities and even Meeting stationery. Also, essential Air conditioning in public area made.
Getting Around – Paging a Ride: Car park [free of charge]? Yes! This is a BIG win. Airport transfer? No. Taxi service? I assume so, but I didn’t need it. Valet parking, a big no. Car power charging station? I didn't see one. But, hey, the car park was free, and that's money in my pocket.
For the Kids – Family Fun?
Babysitting service? I doubt it. Family/child friendly? I mean, there’s a pool and not much else. Kids facilities? Nope. Kids meal? I haven't seen any sign of one.
The Rest – Bits and Pieces:
Okay, some other bits. Pets allowed unavailable– okay, fine. No pets allowed. Non-smoking rooms – good. The Security [24-hour] felt present, which is a positive. Fire extinguisher? Yep. Smoke alarms, absolutely.
My Verdict – The Surprise That Sorta Succeeded:
Listen, Waukesha Suites is not gonna light any fires. It's not the Ritz. It’s not a destination. But it’s… fine. (There’s that word again). It's a place to lay your head, binge watch some streaming services, and eat questionable breakfast food. The Accessibility needs a serious overhaul. On the other hand, the free parking is a huge plus. And it does appear they make some effort to keep things clean and take COVID safety seriously.
Would I stay there again? Maybe. Honestly, if I needed a place to crash and wasn't looking for luxury, it would do the trick. It didn't completely suck. And sometimes, that's enough.
Final Score: 2.5 out of 5 stars (mostly because of the free Wi-Fi and the extra-long bed!)
Escape to Fairytale Charm: Kronborg Inn Solvang Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, Instagram-perfect travel itinerary. This is the REAL DEAL, my pre-dawn coffee-fueled, slightly chaotic, and totally me extended stay in Waukesha, Wisconsin. And yes, it involves Extended Stay America. Don't judge. My bank account is currently staging a revolt.
Extended Stay America: Waukesha, WI - The "Home" Base (Also Known as the Place Where the Coffee Maker is Questionable)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Luggage Debacle (and Pizza Regrets)
- Morning (ish): Land in Milwaukee. Airport? Fine. The rental car? A silver sedan from Hertz, which felt far too optimistic for my current state of sleep deprivation. The drive to Waukesha was a blur of highway signs and me desperately fighting the urge to nap. "Oh, look, a cheese factory!" I may have mumbled, before drifting off.
- Afternoon: Check-in at Extended Stay. The front desk lady was… enthusiastic. "Welcome to your home away from home!" she chirped. My home away from home had a faint smell of cleaning products and the promise of questionable housekeeping later in the week. Unpack (mostly). Discover the coffee maker is smaller than my travel mug. Panic.
- Evening: Pizza. Pizza is always the answer, right? Apparently not, as I found myself sitting in the dining room of extended stay America with a plain cheese pizza. I should have explored. I should have checked reviews. But I was exhausted, and a hot, cheesy monstrosity was all I could manage.
- Late Night: Attempt to watch local television. Fail. The cable selection felt like a black hole of infomercials and religious programming. Stare at the ceiling. Wonder if the guy in the next room is REALLY snoring that loudly, or if the walls are thin as paper.
Day 2: Waukesha Exploration and the "World's Largest" Experience (Almost…Maybe?)
- Morning: The coffee maker, bless its tiny plastic heart, actually produced something vaguely resembling coffee. Fuel achieved. Armed with a questionable caffeine buzz, I decided to be productive.
- Mid-morning: Drive around Waukesha. Discover the historic downtown. It’s charming! I walked around the streets.
- Afternoon: Attempt to find the "World's Largest" something in Waukesha. This became a quest. I researched. I planned. I drove. The "World's Largest" whatever turned out to be… a mildly impressive statue of someone from a local historical monument.
- Late Afternoon: Disappointing, I know. I did, however, find a really lovely little antique store. It had a record player and some old albums. I spent way too much time browsing. Almost bought a vintage hatbox.
- Evening: Dinner at a local diner. Burgers. Fries. A slice of pie that was too sugary. The waitress called me "Hon." It was oddly comforting.
- Night: Stare out the window. The silence is broken only by the distant hum of… something.
Day 3: Milwaukee Excursion - Art, Beer, and Existential Dread?
- Morning: A proper breakfast. The hotel's "continental breakfast" is… well, it exists. But I'm hungry, so I skipped it. Head to Milwaukee. The drive is short and easy.
- Mid-morning: Explore the Milwaukee Art Museum. It's amazing. The architecture is stunning, the art is… well, some of it made me question my grasp on reality. Spent way too long staring at a painting that, I think, was just a series of brightly colored squares. Contemplated the meaning of life. Or maybe just the meaning of those squares.
- Afternoon: Beer run! Milwaukee is the land of beer, right? Several breweries were visited. Tried a flight of local brews. Developed a slightly rosy glow. The city seemed more vibrant.
- Late Afternoon: Wander along the Milwaukee Riverwalk. It’s picturesque. Took a ton of photos. Pretended I was a sophisticated traveler. Nearly tripped over a cobblestone.
- Evening: Dinner in the Third Ward. Trendy, maybe a little pretentious, but the food was good. Got a little chatty with the waiter about Wisconsin weather. He looked equally exhausted by the conversation.
- Night: Back in Waukesha. Watch more cable, and more religious programming. Eventually, I succumb to the siren song of sleep.
Day 4: Day Trip to Somewhere…and the Perils of Vending Machines
- Morning: Decision paralysis. Too many options. "Should I visit Geneva Lake or go to the Wisconsin Dells?" Spent an hour researching and googling.
- Mid-morning: Decided on driving to Wisconsin Dells. Started the drive. It was beautiful. Then, I got lost. Decided to stop.
- Afternoon: "The Dells" are very touristy. It's fine. It's a novelty. I watched the ducks waddle around the city.
- Late Afternoon: Returned to Waukesha.
- Evening: Hunger pangs. Hit the vending machine. Jackpot! A bag of chips. Except, the bag got stuck. Tried to shake the machine. No luck. I was forced to wander over to the local grocery store with my tail between my legs and buy a bag of chips at regular price.
- Night: Read a book and tried to ignore the strange sounds emanating from the air conditioner.
Day 5: Packing and Departure (Plus a Final Thought About Hotel Coffee)
- Morning: Pack. Try to cram everything back into my suitcase. Fail. Sit on the suitcase. Success!
- Mid-morning: One last cup of coffee. This time, it tastes of… something. Like the essence of plastic and regret.
- Afternoon: Check out. Say goodbye to the friendly woman at the front desk. She probably thinks I'm a mess.
- Late Afternoon: Drive back to the airport. The silver sedan from Hertz felt just as optimistic as it had at arrival.
- Evening: Fly home.
- Night: Think about Waukesha. And the cheese. And the coffee. And plan my next trip. Because, let's be honest… even with the questionable coffee and the slightly soul-crushing vending machines, it was… okay. It was human. And sometimes, that's all you can hope for.
Milwaukee's BEST Extended Stay? Waukesha Suites...Surprise! (A Totally Unfiltered FAQ)
Okay, spill the beans. Is Waukesha Suites ACTUALLY "Milwaukee's BEST Extended Stay" like those ads claim? Because, let's be real, hotel advertising is a LYING GAME.
Alright, buckle up Buttercup, because the truth is… it’s complicated. Look, I’ve stayed in places that make you question the very fabric of reality – like, is that a stain or a portal to another dimension? – and I've stayed in places that made me want to propose marriage *right then and there* (to the room, obviously). Waukesha Suites? It swings between those extremes like a slightly rusty swing set. They *say* "best," but in reality... well, let's just say it’s best for *some* things. It's a journey, folks. A *journey*.
What's the vibe? Like, am I going to be surrounded by suspicious characters, or families with screaming toddlers? (Because I'm not sure which is worse, to be honest.)
Okay, the vibe… imagine a Venn diagram where "Budget-Friendly" and "Semi-Temporary Housing" overlap. That’s the vibe. I've bumped into everyone from traveling construction workers (loud but mostly harmless after a long day) to what appeared to be a grandmother with a *serious* penchant for online shopping who was *clearly* hiding a whole closet's worth of packages in her room. (No judgment! I get it.) The screaming toddler factor? Surprisingly low during my stays, which, honestly, was a HUGE plus. The *occasional* dog barking, though? That's part of the soundtrack. It's not the Ritz, babes. Let's be real.
Let's talk rooms. What should I *really* expect? And, for the love of all that's holy, is the WiFi actually usable?
Rooms... okay, here’s the blueprint. They’re… functional. Think of it as a slightly more spacious version of a dorm room, but with a kitchenette. The beds are… well, let's just say you *might* want to bring your own extra fluffy mattress topper. (I did, after the first night, let me tell you!) The kitchenettes are a lifesaver if you’re trying to save money on takeout. I made some truly epic ramen creations in that tiny space. The *WiFi*? Okay, THIS is where things get… interesting. It’s like a grumpy, slightly senile old man. Sometimes it's zippy and fast, other times it's slower than molasses in January. Be prepared to tether to your phone as a backup. You'll thank me later. Don't rely on it if you NEED to do important business. Just don't!
The dreaded "extended stay" question: cleaning. Is it a weekly thing? Daily torture? Or do you just hope for the best and slowly become one with the dust bunnies?
Cleaning. Ah, the eternal struggle. It *is* an extended stay, so they give you a good amount of autonomy. I think it's weekly, if you're staying for the long haul, and if you request it. But if you haven't requested it, it is not the hotel staff's main prerogative to check on your apartment-style abode. Basically, you're on your own, for the most part. You can request fresh towels and stuff, which is nice. But the deep cleaning is something you have to arrange. They *do* provide cleaning supplies, which is thoughtful. (Unless you’re a slob like me, in which case, you'll probably just avoid looking at the mess and live in blissful ignorance. Don't judge me!) I'm telling you... a vacuum cleaner is your best friend. My apartment at Waukesha Suites and I became, shall we say, *intimate*.
Okay, let's get down to brass tacks: the *worst* part. What's the one thing about Waukesha Suites that would make me RUN screaming back to my (admittedly cramped) apartment?
The worst part? Oh boy, there are a few contenders. The occasional mysterious odors wafting from unknown sources. The sometimes-sketchy parking situation (I once spent a good 20 minutes circling for a spot). The slightly-less-than-stellar soundproofing (you hear EVERYTHING – the dog barking, the suspicious late-night conversations in the hallway, the clatter of the aforementioned online shopping grandmother). But… honestly? It's the *lack* of real character. It's kind of bland. Like a beige wall. It's functional, but it lacks personality. And for a place you're *living* in, that can be draining.
And the BEST part? What actually made you think, "Hey, this isn't so bad!"
Here's the thing. I once spilled red wine on the (admittedly worn) carpet. I was MORTIFIED. I spent half an hour scrubbing at it with the provided cleaning stuff, convinced I’d be charged a fortune. I was ready for the shame. But... nothing. It came out! And that's the BEST part. It's a place that allows you to be, well, *human*. It's not perfect, it's not luxurious, but it's... forgiving. The fact that I could spill an entire glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and not get evicted? That's pretty darn great. The kitchenette is great if you're resourceful. The price is usually right. Location is pretty decent. All things considered, it’s a solid choice if you need a place to land for a while. Not perfect, by a long shot, but honestly… not half bad. Just bring your own mattress topper. Seriously.
What *really* sets Waukesha Suites apart from the rest? (Besides the potential for accidental red wine incidents?)
Honestly? For me, it's the *expectation*. You go in knowing it's not the Four Seasons. You go in expecting a bit of grit. And you're *usually* pleasantly surprised. The staff, in my experience, are generally helpful, though not exactly overflowing with effusive charm. (It's okay! I'm not looking for a date, just a place to exist.) Because of the price point and the practicality, I'm more inclined to, shall we say, *forgive* certain shortcomings. Again, it's not a *destination*. But it's a place. And sometimes, a place is all you need.
Final Verdict: Should I book it? Give it to me straight!
Alright, here's the deal. If you're looking for a luxurious, pampering experience, RUN. Like, *sprint* away.Book Hotels Now
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